Nicolaas & Jacob Van Staphorst to John Adams, September 14, 1789

Amsterdam 14 September 1789

sir

On the 26 th: last Month only, we
received your respected favor of 2 Decbr to our Predecessors, accompanying the Second
and Third Volumes of Your Defence of the American Constitutions, to compleat the Setts
presented us; For which Mark of your Friendship and Remembrance, Please accept our
hearty Thanks.— 1

Your departure from Europe, has been followed by Events of infinite
importance indeed; Here the Flame caught by your glorious Revolution, has been smothered
for a time, But in France it appears to have made such Progress, as will We hope ensure
to that populous & happily situated Country, a Constitution of Freedom, the Basis of
which is already laid by a declaration of the sacred and inalienable Rights of Mankind.
Should this grand Work be carried to Maturity, of which there is a good prospect, its
Consequences will spread all around, and this Country certainly not feel them the
last.—

The Dread of this great Revolution already alarms the Foes to the
natural Liberties of Mankind, and may probably cause an Embrasure in Europe, that by
involving the different powers of this Quarter of the Globe, would prove highly
advantageous to your Commerce and Credit in Europe, The present State of the latter of
which confirms in the fullest manner, what We have often assured to you in person, that
its Revival depended solely upon the Establishment and Operation of an efficient and
respectable Government in the United-States: As the Parent of the American Credit in
this Country, You Sir, cannot but be more than ordinarily interested in its progress and Situation, Wherefore We are certain to gratify you, in communicating
more early perhaps than You would know thro’ your Official Channel, the purport of the
Letter the Commissioners of the American Loans here address per this Conveyance to your
Treasury-Board, To the inclosed Copy of which We have only to subjoin, that Your Four
per Cent Bonds are now One to Two per Cent above par, and the Five per Cents from 96 to
99 per Cent, So that they now appear most respectably among the other Loans negotiated
here, with the appearance of going still higher, and thus will be rendered easy the
raising here on favorable Terms, what further Sums the United-States may stand in need
of.—

We beg you to accept our most sincere Congratulations upon this
Situation of the American Credit here, as well as upon the successful Operations of Your
new Federal Government, and your Appointment to the very distinguished Post You occupy
in it; Which We wish you a long Enjoyment of, not doubting but You will discharge it
with equal Assiduity and Abilities as You have manifested in all your former Employs,
Which have secured you the most flattering Recompence, the Esteem and Gratitude of your
Fellow Citizens.—

M rs: Van Staphorst joins in presenting
our most respectful Compliments to M rs: Adams; And
requesting that when in our power to render you any useful or agreeable Offices here,
You will not spare us, as it will at all times afford us real Satisfaction to convince
you how truly and respectfully We are / sir / Your most obd hble Serv t.

N & J. Van Staphorst & Hubbard